Stater Senate District 6 hopeful Leonard of New Durham has little political experience but ready to learn

Thursday

Oct 11, 2012 at 3:15 AMOct 11, 2012 at 5:18 AM

Editor's note: This story is one in series Foster's is writing about the major candidates in the Nov. 6 elections.

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

DOVER — District 6 Democratic state Senate candidate Richard Leonard openly admits he has little experience in politics. But that hasn't stopped him from pursuing this senate position. “It's a start for me. I have to start somewhere. I don't really have an agenda,” Leonard told the Foster's editorial board this past week. “I would consider myself a moderate Democrat. I can look at both sides of these issues as far as … what's best for New Hampshire.”Leonard, a longtime Rochester resident who moved to New Durham eight years ago, is a pharmacist at Hannaford's in Alton, with more than 30 years experience in the field of pharmaceuticals. He told the board he became motivated to run for office after his late wife suffered a harrowing experience with her health care provider, where after her cancer diagnosis, Leonard and his family feared they could lose their insurance options altogether from his wife's pre-existing condition. He explained thankfully, that never happened, but the thought of that happening to someone else is a grave concern. He said to that effect, he is in favor of the recently enacted Affordable Care Act, though he said when it comes to the Democratic Party, he is no one's “puppet.”“I put myself through pharmacy school … I was a single dad with four kids under my wings,” he said. “No one's going to be able to tell me what to do. I pray, I hope, to make the right decisions …” Leonard has approximately four years of experience on the Advisory Council for Strafford County Cooperative Extension Service, which he aligned himself with after pursuing the group's help with the revitalizing of his Miller Farm apple orchard. He also operates a small business, renting commercial properties, which he said he has kept up for years.Asked about his more specific views on state issues, Leonard said he was most dissatisfied with recent cuts to hospitals, and to education, citing the funds for University of New Hampshire (UNH) as well. He said he was not in favor of the elimination of the state cigarette tax and hopes other options are available to reinstate that, though he ceded he did not have specifics in mind. He said if elected into office, he plans to research various “revenue streams” that may be available. Leonard will face Republican Sam Cataldo this Nov. 6. Cataldo, a Farmington resident, who serves as one of eight representatives for Strafford County's District 3 and is a member of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and served a two-year term twice. He was also elected again in 2010.Leonard said in spite of his opponent's experience in the political arena, he hopes to make the best decisions for his potential constituents based on his own, personal experiences.“I've experienced over the years the hardship of running a small business. I've seen the hardships of people not being able to afford their medication … All of that kind of brings me to where I am, to try to make some common sense, intelligent, well-thought decisions in the decision process-making in Concord,” Leonard told the board. “I think it's much needed, and I think I could do a lot better job at that than my opponent.”Leonard stressed he could learn quickly “on (his) feet,” and vowed to catch up to speed on salient issues once in the Senate. “As far as addressing my opponent's legislative experience, he doesn't really form an opinion of his own,” Leonard said. “… The things that he votes for are not in the best interest, at least from my perspective, for the state of New Hampshire, for our kids.”He added he and Cataldo differ on issues of gun control, which he is strongly in favor of. Leonard added he hopes to steer clear of social issues, saying those discussions take up a lot of the Senate's time and energy. He said he has heard from voters in the last few months they are dissatisfied with the tenor in Concord, and hopes to become more educated to lead Concord “down the right path.”“… (In the Foster's editorial meeting) I've said 'no,' (and) 'I don't know,' several times but I will find out. I will make the right decision,” Leonard said. “And I understand there's going to be huge gray areas and there's going to be hours and hours, nights up burning the candle from both ends to get up to speed. It will get done.”